Monday, 27 June 2011

Well, what can I say? I did not overestimate this book, but yet I didn't underestimate it. But I gave Thirteen Reasons Why 5 Stars. Why? It didn't fail to impress me, but I had pretty high expectations for it from the beginning (due to the hype) and Jay Asher provided exactly what I was hungry for. So all in all, this novel was perfect.

Okay, before I get onto the praise, I would like to state the 'bad news' before the good. So, even though this story is told in first-person perspective, I know very little about the protagonist, Clay Jensen. How old is he? I suppose he is 16. What does he look like? I suppose he is tall, lean and has brown hair. Who are his friends? Hmm, well I suppose Tony...and...and... My point is that the character profiles are built up so strongly with every character, except for the main man, Clay. How can that be? I am guessing that Jay Asher wanted Clay to remain mysterious, of sorts. However, I am one that likes to know about every little-ittle bit about people; characters. It doesn't bother me too much about the absence of knowledge on Clay, but next time, a bit more filling in, please.

Now... onto the good news, ladies and gentlemen!!!

I love books that make me think differently of the world. Helps me see everything in a different light. Only one other book (that I can think of) gave me this satisfaction, apart from this one. And that other life changing book was Wintergirls. --for my review on it, click here. Anyway, by the time I reached the final words of Clay's on the final page, I thought: "Wow! We can all make a difference! That isn't just an overused cliché!" Although we don't really know what happens afterwards, I hope that *the name of that person* is saved. No, I am sure the person will be.

And yes, Thirteen Reasons Why is a pretty depressing book. I didn't cry in it at all, but I felt this dull weight on myself, even though I have no link to Hannah Baker. But knowing her motives for her death, and piecing everything together bit by bit, that's what gives this novel that extra oomph that sends a chill up your spine.

Ruby Oliver is a somewhat popular girl with problems. Small predicaments to big ones. Firstly, her boyfriend abruptly broke up with her. Then her friends ignore her and bitch bitch bitch about her. And what next? Well, Ruby starts getting panic attacks. And so, she has shrink (I had to look that up in the dictionary, embarrassingly enough... basically a shrink's like a counsellor) to sort out her problems.

I definitely don't wanna reveal too much, otherwise if the curtain is lifted, the funniness and craziness of the book is hidden away. SO this is all I'll say.

Sunday, 19 June 2011

When Lia's friend, Cassie, dies, Lia feels no pain. Or that's what she says, anyway. In actuality, Lia heads down a dangerous, self-destructive path that ruins not only her life, but the ones around her.

What happened to Lia? What happened to make her change from a 'real girl' into one that hates herself and calculates calories like a number-obsessed dietician? Wintergirls looks at all the difficulties (particularly in our teens) related to mental disorders, such as: anorexia, bulimia, hallucinations, cutting... but also death, independence and family. This book alone is worth ten trips to the psychiatrist. Since reading this book, I have looked at myself differently. Instead of thinking: 'ugh, my bum's so fat', I actually stop and say to myself: 'you know what? I'm alright!" Sure, this book has scared me a bit, but it's scared me the right way.

There was not one second in the book that I doubted Lia was messed up. Throughout the whole entire novel, I felt like screaming at her. But strangely enough, I realised that anyone, even me, could be Lia. One wrong step and you could turn out like her.

I admire Laurie Halse Anderson's choice to write this book in first person perspective. After reading this, we all must admit that it is very, very hard to write at this level, and to especially make it believable that Lia is killing herself through starving herself. I felt like an intruder, diving into Lia's thoughts and eavesdropping on the awful conversations she has with herself. In Wintergirls, I have also learnt that a lot more happens to you turn anorexic, apart from getting skinny.

In the end, Lia Overbrook knows best. She does know deep inside her heart that what her folks said the whole time was right. And that's what lightens up the whole book. That you can repair yourself, pick yourself up again, start afresh.

Saturday, 18 June 2011

I've always, always wondered... can mute people whisper? Because, once you really think about it, when we whisper, we don't really use our voices. I've searched Google and I've seen 'no, they can't whisper' a few times. Originally I thought that being mute means that your voice box is no longer working, or is damaged. Well, if this were true, then I believe that whispering is possible for mute. But is it really? Do you think they can whisper?

Just let me make clear that this book wasn't at all what I anticipated. After reading several other rave reviews, I was 99% sure that I would enjoy this book thoroughly. However, this was regrettably not the case.

Mia is a teen girl who's family suffers from a tragic car crash. This was one of the best parts of the book. Though rather grizzly and hard to swallow, Gayle Forman describes the scene vividly and realistically. It made me choke by just reading it.

However, the downer of the book was the lack of action. In the majority of the book, all Mia did was ***spoiler ALERT*** wander around the hospital, thinking about her past and what to do next. In fact, that'd be a more suitable title: 'What To Do Next'.

The flashbacks were annoying but also provided some interest to the reader, namely, me. One thing I cannot get over is how COOL her parents are!!! It's rare that a parent would swear so often in front of a 10 year-old girl (from my gatherings, anyway). I also admired the use of music that was included in the plot. Being a classical musicianist myself, I was pleased that the main character liked (and was very good at) the violoncello. Something different from your average Jane.

Overall, the novel was alright, but I'm keeping my eyes peeled for the sequel. It sounds good and worth reading!

This is the ONLY book that I have read soooo many times in my life. It's a truly amazing plot, and when she faces the truth of her 'past' self I felt how desperate she was, and I feel like I'm in her shoes!

Although the storyline of this book isn't very complex, I especially liked the add-in of her desperate Mum and her sudden liking to Richard. Also, a real winner for me was how the story was told in two perspectives, but unlike most other stories, the two sides are describing two different times, the past and the present.

I really recommend this amazing, amazing book. I 100% guarantee that you're eyes will stay glued to it just like a TV screen.

The Book of A Thousand Days is a very beautiful and well written book. The journey of Dashti is mesmerizing, and her unique love story is worthy of making anyone smile :)
The only problem I found was how the ending reminded me of a Disney princess ending "...and they all lived happily ever after. The end."I didn't find it that believable of how Tegus very willingly saved her, even after he found out Dashti's secret.
There was also something weird about the blurb (I know I'm nitpicking)... It says that the heroine is a brat (if they're referring to Saren, then yes) AND the hero isn't charming. The only hero I can think of is Tegus, and I thought he WAS charming!?!?
It was also a shame that I missed out on finding out why Saren was so reluctant to talk to Tegus. Oh well.
Aanyway, in general I really enjoyed this book and I love how it sort of twists well-loved, "ancient" fairytales into an even better, more exciting and intricate plot.

Firstly, I think this novel contrasts greatly to its predecessor, The Hunger Games. This book is told on a much bigger scale of things, and its focus is more on the Capitol than the Hunger Games itself. I must say, my favourite section of the book was Part I. I was very surprised when Katniss was participated in the Games again (woops... is that a spoiler!?!?). The part i disliked most in the book was at the very end. I found that Suzanne Collins rushed the ending and I finished the book in a has-the-book-really-ended? confusion. Otherwise, I really liked how the story talked about other things apart from the Games (BTW I think I liked 'last year's' Games more than this year's... how about you?). A thing a found really disturbing was President Snow's breath. Didn't you squirm in your reading cosy when you read Katniss' description of him? Well, I certainly did, and I think I puked a bit in my mouth when I pictured his puffy lips.

Anyway ... I love Peeta Mellark to bits... I do not understand why Katniss prefers him to Gale. But I dunno. It's the work of those hormones, I guess. Oh, and HOW could I leave out Cinna? I really admire him. If he was a real person, I would probably be his #1 fan ;)

NOTE
Due to the suspense and wild hunger for the remaining of the series, I will DEFINITELY be reading Mockingjay. Look out for my review on it soon!!!

Wednesday, 1 June 2011

Let's jut begin by saying that this book is mindblowing (as well as the events in the plot). I'm constantly searching for 'unique' books that offer a totally original plot... and this hits the bulls-eye.

So basically this book (it was so utterly amazing that it changed my opinions on the world, by the way) is about Katniss Everdeen, a teen girl living in a dystopian world far off into the future. The only problem is that she lives in the poorest part of her country, Panem. The problem is that her father died from a mine explosion. The problem is that she must take care of her family and feed them. Once a year each District in the nation must randomly choose a boy and a girl to compete in the ruthless, deathly Hunger Games. It is a reality show that is used as a reminder of how bad the days 'back then' were…

I really appreciated Katniss' devotion to Prim, and I even enjoyed her close-to-nil sense of humour and emotionlessness. And yes, this made her a rather hard character to identify with, but nevertheless, it gave her that *POW!* that proper heroines need.

My favourite characters were Peeta (*sigh*), Cinna (what a fashionista!) and sweet, darling Rue. I would like to know more about Gale though. Is he as swoon-worthy as Peeta (that was meant to be a funny joke.)?

Now, just to let you know, I cry about once a year due to a book. And this year the 'Made Lauren Cry Award' went to the Hunger Games. Even though Katniss can have as much emotion as a rock, a few tears slipped under my eyelids when I read about *that part* (for all people who have read this, you should know where).

I ran into a slight plot problem in the book though. I was wondering... Why would they change the rules to make it that there were two winners? Doesn't that just kill the effect of having one victor? And then why take that comment back, and then change the ruled back to the two winners thing? That baffled me. I thought that this made Katniss' situation waaaay too convenient. So, for those who have already read The Hunger Games... Why is this so? Is it because of the whole 'star-crossed lovers' things? It can't be, can it?

I recommend this book for almost entirely everyone. And I typed that word: almost, because it is quite gory at times. So if you chuck at the thought of blood, please, for your own sake, do not read this book. It could result in suicide. BUT for those with the stronger gag reflexes, I can 100% guarantee that you'll fall in love with this book. I swear an oath on it.

Like most other people, the sole reason I started reading 'Delirium' was because of Lauren Oliver's 'Before I Fall'. But honestly, I much prefer her first book compared to this one.

For me, this book provided a lot of — and I do mean A LOT of — eye-rolling moments and not enough room for suspense. Everything was predictable (apart from the end, but I'll get to that later) and cheesy. Like Romeo and Juliet minus the conflict scenes.

Lena reminds me of Bella Swan... unbearingly ordinary and naïve. Both of them lack that OOMPH that a protagonist needs, thus pushing the spotlight onto their lover-boys, which in this case, is Alex.

Like all male-leads, Alex is: handsome, mysterious, brave, tender and sticks up for his girl, no matter what the risks are. Alex seems even more agitating than Edward Cullen though. A few reasons is that he seems equally as naïve as Lena, and he seems so shallow. From the start he loved Lena. From the start he wanted to obey her. Another thing that has occurred to me is HOW ON EARTH can he trick those 'ruthless, strict' regulators into thinking he was Cured? Even in this world, a simple scar does not prove that you are 'one of them'. The idea of Invalids is pretty vague as well. Along with sympathizers and resistors, Oliver leaves us wondering just exactly who these people are.

Now... The ending. The final chapter is action packed. It's thrilling. And it certainly surprised me. I thought that — like the rest of the book — the ending would be some kind of cliché, but it wasn't. I didn't expect what happened to happen. There is no lead up to it. Just BAM! and the dirt is gone (sorry for that). Because of the unexpected twist, I finally started to like this book. But, alas, it was already too late. An eye-catcher in the last few paragraphs is not good enough, even for Oliver.

To be honest, the part I was looking forward to most was when Lena would get Cured. I knew that this wasn't really gonna happen, but the idea of her foolish mind getting cured was too good to ask for.

Oh, and another thing that I found wrong in 'Delirium' is that even though it is in the future (as it is a dystopian novel, afterall), it seems as though the world hasn't really progressed. Apart from the 'cure', the world hasn't changed. There is no mention of cool high-tech gadgets, and they're still using dingy radios. And why an electric fence when you can use laser beams? Duh!!!

What's really sad is that this book could've had potential, but it was easily sorted into the pile mediocre books. As I mentioned before, the best part was the ending. That's all that it's worth.

I read Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver early this year, and I fell in love with it. Sadly, I had to part ways with it (as I had actually borrowed it from the library), but here is a little gem to remind me of the novel...

Currently I'm steadily making my way through the chunky novel, Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins. And god, it's taking ages! Okay, maybe it's because I'm ultra busy with homework (or I'm spending too much time on GR), but I am finding the plot to be moving as fast as a waterfall. As in, it's moving waaaay too fast for my liking.

To be honest, my favourite book in The Hunger Games series is undoubtedly the original and the first: The Hunger Games. It is a fact that first books are typically the best out of its series, and in this situation it certainly proves its case.

"Begin at the beginning and go on till you come to the end: then stop." -- The King Of Hearts.

The big question is... Where do I begin? I'm not quite sure in which direction this blog will be going. Will it be focussed entirely on reading, or more?
So far, I am aiming to roll together reading, writing and philosophy into one blog (which is definitely a weird combination, but I think it could work)!

There's a flaw in The King Of Hearts' theory though. You don't always have to stop. I am not going to stop. I'm going to go on and on and on, 'till... Well, I'll think of that later.

Anyway, please stay with me to travel into the dimensions of sensational novels, awe-inspiring writing tips and baffling philosophical questions!